Preceded by Robert VanderLaan Succeeded by John R. Otterbacher Party Michigan Republican Party | Preceded by Perry W. Greene Political party Republican Battles and wars World War II | |
Succeeded by William B. Fitzgerald, Jr. Born March 28, 1926
Grand Rapids, Michigan ( 1926-03-28 ) Alma mater Wayne State University
Calvin College Died 3 February 2012, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States Education Wayne State University, Calvin College | ||
Milton Zaagman was a Republican member of the Michigan Senate from 1963 through 1974 who was its majority leader in his final year.
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Early life
A native of Grand Rapids, Zaagman attended Calvin College and earned a degree in mortuary science from Wayne State University. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, he married Martha Haverkamp and served three terms on the Kent County board of supervisors. Zaagman was also a director of the Kent County Library.
Senate career
After two unsuccessful campaigns for the state House, Zaagman won election to the Senate in 1962 and served four terms. During his tenure, the Legislature endeavored to implement the state's new constitution. Zaagman was elected president pro tempore in 1971, and majority leader in 1974. He was defeated for re-election in 1974 by John Otterbacher. That year, Zaagman had also ran unsuccessfully to fill the vacancy in Congress caused by Gerald Ford's elevation to the vice presidency.
Later life
When Zaagman left the Senate, he pursued a career in lobbying.
Zaagman died on February 3, 2012, aged 85.